Easy Crockpot Sesame Chicken with Broccoli
Tender, slow-cooked chicken in a rich, savory-sweet sesame sauce with perfectly crisp-tender broccoli. This set-it-and-forget-it dinner is better than takeout and made with simple, real ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 20 minutes (on LOW) or 1 hour 50 minutes (on HIGH)
- Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes (on LOW) or 2 hours 5 minutes (on HIGH)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup (120ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup (110ml) honey
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) rice vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 3 cups broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Cooked white or brown rice (for serving)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined.
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Using tongs, transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board. Let it rest briefly, then shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until completely smooth. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the hot sauce, whisking constantly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the thickened sauce. Add the broccoli florets and gently stir. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
- Serve the sesame chicken and broccoli over cooked rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and, if desired, sliced green onions or a drizzle of sriracha.
Notes
For best results, use fresh broccoli and add it at the end to keep it crisp-tender. If using chicken breasts, check for doneness at 2 hours on LOW. To make gluten-free, substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce. For a low-carb version, use a keto-friendly sweetener instead of honey and serve over cauliflower rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5
- Calories: 380420
- Sugar: 1822
- Sodium: 8001000
- Fat: 1518
- Saturated Fat: 34
- Carbohydrates: 2530
- Fiber: 45
- Protein: 3540
Keywords: crockpot sesame chicken, slow cooker sesame chicken, easy sesame chicken, sesame chicken with broccoli, weeknight dinner, healthy takeout, set it and forget it